EARL L. DANCY, JR. (36), of Tacoma, Washington was sentenced today to one year probation in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for Making a False Statement in Connection with the Acquisition of a Firearm. According to the indictment, DANCY made the false statement when he was purchasing a Remington .308-caliber rifle, model 700, from Bull's Eye Shooter Supply, 414 Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. On a form required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, DANCY stated he was purchasing the rifle for his own use. In fact, according to DANCY's testimony during the November 2003 trial of D.C. Sniper John Mohammed, DANCY purchased the .308-caliber rifle for Mohammed.

The gun was later found by two individuals who were driving through a field in Tacoma. They spotted the Remington .308-caliber rifle sitting on a tripod pointing toward a nearby apartment building. The men heard someone running through the bushes. The gun was turned over to police.

Today in court DANCY said, "I am truly sorry for what I have done. My life is ruined. I took Mohammed in to help him. If I could do it all over again I would never invite someone so unstable into my home." The government asked that DANCY serve three months in prison. But in sentencing DANCY to probation, U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess stated, "You were caught up in an unfortunate situation."

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlen Storm.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington at (206) 553-4110.